Apparatus for Charging Batteries of Devices at a Selected DC Voltage

ABSTRACT

A battery charging apparatus for charging batteries of fixed voltage charge receiving batteries and flexible voltage charge receiving batteries. A wall receptacle charger outlet, an “all-in-one” vehicle or home charger, a hands-free docking station charger, a wall mountable USB charging strip and a holder for multiple charger receiving devices that includes a charger are disclosed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to apparatus that have receptacles for chargingone or more devices that are powered with DC battery at a voltage levelselected based upon signals received from the device receiving thecharge.

BACKGROUND

Battery powered devices must be periodically recharged. Most batterypowered devices are configured to be charged at a predetermined voltage.Most chargers are configured to provide a predetermined level of currentat a set voltage. Given these limitations, a substantial period of timeis required to charge the battery of a battery powered device dependingupon the extent of depletion of the battery.

Most battery chargers for cellular telephones and tablet computersprovide a fixed voltage level that is typically 5 volts. Some batterypowered rapid charge cellular telephones have been developed that can becharged with a dedicated AC charger that is plugged into a conventionalAC wall receptacle that has a DC output wire that is plugged into thedevice that can provide a higher level of voltage for charging rapidcharge telephones. Alternatively, the rapid charge telephones may becharged with a car charger that is connected by a wire to a vehicle DCcharge outlet or Universal Serial Bus (USB) receptacle.

Many consumers have several such devices including some fixed five voltdevices and possibly other rapid charge devices that are charged at ahigher voltage. This creates potential compatibility problems whendifferent chargers are used to charge different devices. A rapid chargedevice will not achieve rapid charging when charged with a conventionallow voltage charger.

As a result of the proliferation of battery powered portable devicesthere is a need to conveniently charge many devices at the same time.While wall mounted multiple USB receptacles are available that may beused to several battery powered devices all of the receptacles arelimited to providing the same voltage output. There is no multiplereceptacle system for providing a device selected voltage output formore rapid charging. Wall mounted multiple USB receptacles that arecurrently available are limited to being powered by an AC power source.

Battery powered devices may also be recharged by so called “all-in-one”chargers from either a DC power source socket in a vehicle or an ACpower source in a building. All-in-one chargers provide a fixed level ofcharge to the device receiving the charge and do not accommodate adevice selected voltage output for more rapid charging.

Another approach to charging battery powered devices is to charge themwhile in a “hands-free” docking device that is connected to the DC powersupply of the vehicle. Alternatively, battery powered devices may becharged while in a docking station in an office or in a home that ispowered by an AC power source. These prior charging implements are alllimited to charging battery powered devices at a fixed voltage andcannot accommodate battery powered devices that may be charged morequickly with a device selected voltage output for more rapid charging.

This disclosure is directed to solving the above problem and otherproblems as summarized below.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of this disclosure, a receptacle assembly isdisclosed for charging a selectable charge receiving device powered by aDC battery that is adapted to be mounted in a wall. The receptacleassembly comprises a housing adapted to be secured to the wall and acover plate that is attached to the housing. At least one multiplevoltage output receptacle is provided on the cover plate and is adaptedto provide a default level of voltage and a device selectedpredetermined level of voltage that is greater than the default level ofvoltage for charging the selectable charge receiving device.

According to other aspects of this disclosure as it relates to thereceptacle assembly, at least one single voltage receptacle may beprovided on the cover plate that is adapted to provide a fixed voltagelevel for a fixed charge receiving device that may only be charged at afixed voltage level. The at least one single voltage receptacle may beprovided with a fixed output converter circuit that provides a fixedvoltage to fixed charge receiving devices connected to the singlevoltage receptacle and is enclosed by the housing and cover plate.

The housing and cover plate may enclose a control circuit thatcommunicates with the selectable charge receiving device that is adaptedto be charged at the predetermined level of voltage and that provides acharging level signal, a voltage switching circuit that receives thecharging level signal, and a variable output AC/DC converter circuitcontrolled by the voltage switching circuit that is configured toprovide the predetermined level of voltage to the selectable chargereceiving device. Alternatively, the housing and cover plate may enclosea control circuit that communicates with the selectable charge receivingdevice that is adapted to be charged at the predetermined level ofvoltage and that provides a charging level signal, a voltage switchingcircuit that receives the charging level signal, and a variable outputDC/DC converter circuit controlled by the voltage switching circuit thatis configured to provide the predetermined level of voltage to theselected charge receiving device.

According to another aspect of this disclosure, a portable batterycharger is disclosed for a selectable charge receiving device. Theportable battery charger comprises a housing having a first plug adaptedto be inserted into a DC receptacle and a second plug adapted to beinserted into an AC receptacle. At least one multiple voltage receptacleis provided on the housing for charging the selectable charge receivingdevice and is adapted to provide a default level of voltage and apredetermined level of voltage that is greater than the default level ofvoltage.

The portable battery charger housing encloses a control circuit thatcommunicates with the selectable charge receiving device that is adaptedto be charged at a predetermined level of voltage that the device may becharged at and that also provides a charging level signal. A voltageswitching circuit receives the charging level signal and controls avariable output converter circuit that is configured to provide a DCcharging voltage to the selectable charge receiving device.

According to another aspect of this disclosure, a hands-free dockingstation is provided for a cellular telephone. The docking stationincludes a cellular telephone holder and a connector that is adapted tocharge the cellular telephone in the holder. The connector is adapted toprovide a default level of voltage and a cellular telephone selectedpredetermined level of voltage that is greater than the default level ofvoltage.

The hands-free docking station may further comprise a control circuitthat communicates with the cellular telephone that is adapted to becharged at a predetermined level of voltage that is greater than thedefault level of voltage for charging the cellular telephone and thatprovides a charging level signal. A voltage switching circuit receivesthe charging level signal and controls a variable output convertercircuit that is configured to provide a DC charging voltage to thecellular telephone.

According to other aspects of this disclosure relating to the hands-freedocking station, the variable output converter circuit may be adapted tobe connected to a DC power supply. Alternatively, the variable outputconverter circuit may be adapted to be connected to an AC power supply.The control circuit, the voltage switching circuit and the convertercircuit may all be enclosed within a housing.

According to another aspect of this disclosure, a receptacle stripassembly is disclosed that is adapted to be mounted on a wall forcharging a selectable charge receiving device powered by a DC battery.The assembly comprises a housing adapted to be secured to the wall andat least one multiple voltage output receptacle provided on the housingand adapted to provide a default level of voltage and a device selectedpredetermined level of voltage that is greater than the default level ofvoltage for charging the selectable charge receiving device.

The housing encloses a control circuit that communicates with theselectable charge receiving device. The selectable charge receivingdevice is adapted to be charged at the predetermined level of voltageand also provides a charging level signal. A voltage switching circuitreceives the charging level signal and controls a variable output AC/DCconverter circuit that is configured to provide the predetermined levelof voltage to the selectable charge receiving device. The housingfurther encloses at least one single voltage receptacle and a fixedoutput converter circuit that provides a fixed voltage level to at leastone fixed charge receiving device connected to the single voltagereceptacle.

According to another aspect of this disclosure, a holder is disclosedfor a plurality of portable battery operated devices that is adapted tocharge a selectable charge receiving device powered by a DC battery. Theholder comprises a rack for retaining the plurality of battery operateddevices. A housing is provided on the rack that includes at least onemultiple voltage output receptacle provided on the housing that isadapted to provide a default level of voltage and a device selectedpredetermined level of voltage that is greater than the default level ofvoltage for charging the selectable charge receiving device. The housingencloses a control circuit that communicates with the selectable chargereceiving device that is adapted to be charged at the predeterminedlevel of voltage. The control circuit also provides a charging levelsignal to a voltage switching circuit. A variable output AC/DC convertercircuit is controlled by the voltage switching circuit and is configuredto provide the predetermined level of voltage to the selectable chargereceiving device.

The above aspects of this disclosure and other aspects are described ingreater detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a wall mounted chargingreceptacle that is connected to a power source and that includes fourUSB receptacles.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of the charging receptacle shown in FIG. 1 that isconfigured to provide AC/DC voltage conversion and a multiple voltageoutput and an AC/DC voltage conversion and a fixed voltage output.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of the charging receptacle shown in FIG. 1 that isconfigured to provide DC/DC voltage conversion and a multiple voltageoutput and a DC/DC voltage conversion and a fixed voltage output.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a battery charger including a vehicle DCpower adapter and an AC wall plug that a may be alternatively utilizedto provide either a multiple voltage or a fixed voltage to a battery ofa battery powered device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a hands-free device that is used toprovide either a multiple voltage or a fixed voltage to a battery of abattery powered device.

FIG. 6 is a simplified flow chart showing how the charger provides afixed voltage output as a default but then communicates with theselected charging device to provide a selected higher charging voltage.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a wall mountable strip chargingreceptacle that is used to provide either a multiple voltage or a fixedvoltage to a battery of a battery powered device.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a holder for a plurality of portablebattery operated devices that is used to provide either a multiplevoltage or a fixed voltage to a plurality of a battery powered devices.

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the holder shown in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrated embodiments are disclosed with reference to thedrawings. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare intended to be merely examples that may be embodied in various andalternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale and somefeatures may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particularcomponents. The specific structural and functional details disclosed arenot to be interpreted as limiting, but as a representative basis forteaching one skilled in the art how to practice the disclosed concepts.

Referring to FIG. 1, a receptacle assembly generally indicated byreference numeral 10 includes a housing 12 that is adapted to be mountedin a wall 14 of a building or a recreational vehicle. The housing 12 isconfigured to be received in a standard electrical box 16. The housinghas mounting tabs 18 that receive screws or bolts 20 for connecting thehousing to the electrical box 16. A cover plate 22 encloses the housing12 that is configured to be received in a standard opening 38 in a coverplate 22.

Three fixed voltage receptacles 24 are illustrated that are provided onthe housing 12 above a multiple voltage receptacle 26. The receptacles24 and 26 as illustrated are Universal Serial Bus (USB) receptacles butit should be understood that other types of receptacles could be used asan alternative.

An electrical cable 30, or wire, is connected to a power supply 32 andis connected in the housing to the USB receptacles as will be more fullydescribed below with reference to FIG. 2. The power supply for abuilding would be an AC power supply but the power supply for arecreational vehicle would be a DC power supply. An LED power indicator34 may be provided on the housing to indicate that the receptacles areconnected to a source of AC power 32.

A standard wall plate 36 is illustrated that defines a standardized wallplate opening 38. The cover plate 22 attached to the housing 12 isadapted to be received in the opening 38 after the housing 12 is securedwithin the electrical box 16.

Referring to FIG. 2, an AC/DC control circuit is schematicallyillustrated that may be incorporated in the receptacle assembly 10. Thecontrol circuit is capable of charging a flexible charge receivingdevice 42 at different device selected charging voltages.

Handshaking signals are sent and received on dedicated data pins 44 ofthe multiple voltage USB receptacle 26 to connectors that connect thecontroller circuit 40 to the selected charge receiving device 42. Thecontroller circuit 40 may be an application specific integrated circuit(“ASIC”), a microprocessor microcontroller, or a programmable logicdevice. The controller circuit 40 queries the selected charge receivingdevice 42 to determine if the selected charge receiving device isadapted to receive a charge at a different voltage level than a standardvoltage of, for example, 5 volts DC. If so, the controller circuit 40sends a signal at 46 to a voltage and switching and feedback circuit 48that controls an AC/DC converter circuit 50 to change the chargingvoltage supplied on the line 52 to the selected charge receiving device42.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, three fixed voltage USBreceptacles 24 are shown that are each connected to a fixed chargereceiving device 54 and an AC/DC charge converter 56. For illustrationpurposes only one AC/DC converter circuit 56 is shown in FIG. 2 that maybe connected to a plurality of USB sockets. The AC/DC charge converter56 provides a fixed voltage level on the line 58 to the fixed chargereceiving device 54.

Referring to FIG. 3, a DC/DC controller circuit 60 is schematicallyillustrated that may be incorporated in the receptacle assembly 10 shownin FIG. 1. The controller circuit 60 is capable of charging a selectedcharge receiving device 62 at different charging rates based upon thevoltage provided by the receptacle assembly 10.

Handshaking signals are sent and received on dedicated data pins 64 ofthe multiple voltage USB receptacle 26 to connectors that connect thecontroller circuit 60 to the selected charge receiving device 62. TheDC/DC controller circuit 60 may be an ASIC, a microprocessormicrocontroller or a programmable logic device. The controller circuit60 communicates with the selected charge receiving device 62 todetermine if the selected charge receiving device is adapted to receivea charge at a different voltage level than a standard voltage. If so,the controller circuit 60 sends a signal at 66 to a voltage andswitching and feedback circuit 68 that controls a DC/DC convertercircuit 70 to change the charging voltage supplied on the line 72 to theselected charge receiving device 62.

In FIG. 1, three fixed voltage USB receptacles 24 are each connected toa fixed charge receiving device 74 and a DC/DC charge converter 76. Onlyone DC/DC converter circuit 76 is shown in FIG. 3 that may be connectedto several USB receptacles. The DC/DC charge converter 76 provides afixed voltage level on the line 78 to the fixed charge receiving device74.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, an “all-in-one” charger 80 is illustrated thatincludes a 12 volt plug 82 on one end is adapted to be received in a 12volt power accessory socket in a vehicle (not shown). A pair of AC plugprongs 84 are provided on the charger 80 that are adapted to be receivedin an AC receptacle wall socket (not shown). At least one socket 86A,and as illustrated, two USB sockets 86A and 86B, may be provided on ahousing 88 of the charger 80.

Socket 86A is a multiple voltage receptacle and socket 86B is a fixedvoltage receptacle. The 12 volt plug 82 may be connected to thecontroller circuit 60, voltage switching circuit 68, and variable outputAC/DC converter circuit 70 that may all be contained within the housing88.

Socket 86B is a fixed voltage receptacle that is connected to a fixedoutput DC/DC converter circuit 76 that provides a fixed voltage to afixed charge receiving device 74. The fixed output DC/DC convertercircuit 76 is also contained within the housing 88.

The prongs 84 for the AC receptacle may be connected to the controllercircuit 40 (as shown in FIG. 2), the voltage switching circuit 48, andvariable output AC/DC converter circuit 50 that are all contained withinthe housing 88. Socket 86A provides a multiple voltage from thecontroller circuit 40, the voltage switching circuit 48, and variableoutput AC/DC converter circuit 50 to a selected charge receiving device42. A fixed charge receiving device 54 may be connected to the socket86B to receive a fixed voltage charge from the fixed output AC/DCconverter circuit 76 that is disposed within the housing 88.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, a hands-free device 90 is disclosed thatis used to provide either a multiple voltage or a fixed voltage to abattery of a battery powered device that is docked in a docking station92. The hands-free device 90 may be used in a vehicle having 12 volt DCpower or may be connected to a source of 110 volt AC power, A socket 93is provided on the docking station 92 that is adapted to be connected toeither a fixed charge receiving battery powered telephone or a selectedcharge receiving battery powered telephone.

If the hands-free device 90 is connected to an AC power source 32, thecontroller circuit 40, the voltage switching circuit 48, and variableoutput AC/DC converter circuit 50 are disposed within the hands freedevice 90 to charge a selected charge receiving device 42. If thehands-free device is connected to a DC power source 32 such as avehicle, the controller circuit 60, voltage switching circuit 68, andvariable output DC/DC converter circuit 70 may all be contained withinthe hands-free device 90.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, a simplified flow chart 94 is providedthat illustrates the algorithm used to provide either a multiple voltageto a selected charge receiving device 42 or 62 or a fixed voltage to afixed charge device 54 or 74. Initially, at 96, the charger is shown tobe providing a fixed voltage as a default output. When a selected chargedevice is attached to the charger, at 98 the controller circuit 40 or 60determines, at 100, whether a valid variable output voltage request wasreceived from the selected charge receiving device 42 or 62. If so, thecharger output is changed, at 102, to the voltage requested from thedevice selected charge receiving device. If a valid request is notreceived at 100 the charger output remains unchanged, at for example 5volts, at 104.

A more extensive description of the charger circuitry is disclosed inapplicants assignee's co-pending application Ser. No. 14/108,884 filedDec. 17, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

Referring to FIG. 7, a USB receptacle strip assembly is illustrated andis generally indicated by reference numeral 110. The USB receptaclestrip assembly 110 includes a housing 112 that has fastener slots 114 atopposite ends that are adapted to receive fasteners such as screws orbolts for securing the housing 112 to a wall (not shown). Three fixedvoltage receptacles 116 and one multiple voltage output receptacle 118are provided on the housing 112. The fixed voltage receptacles 116 areadapted to provide a fixed voltage output to a fixed charge receivingdevice or a flexible charge receiving device. The flexible voltagereceptacle 118 is adapted to provide a default level of voltage or adevice selected predetermined level of voltage that is greater than thedefault level of voltage.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 7, the housing 112 encloses a controllercircuit 40 that communicates with the selectable charge receiving device42 that is adapted to be charged at the predetermined level of voltage.The controller circuit 40 provides the charging level signal at 46 tothe voltage switching circuit 48. The variable output AC/DC convertercircuit 50 is controlled by the voltage switching circuit 48 that isconfigured to provide the predetermined level of voltage on line 52 tothe selectable charge receiving device 42. The housing 112 furtherencloses the fixed output converter circuit 56 that provides a fixedvoltage level to at least one fixed charge receiving device 54 that maybe connected to the fixed voltage receptacles 116. A LED indicator light120 is provided to indicate that the receptacle strip is connectedthrough the wire 122 to a source of power 124. Alternatively, the sourceof power may be a DC power source in that case the schematic of FIG. 3would be referenced.

Referring to FIG. 8, a holder 130 for a plurality of portable batteryoperated devices 132 is illustrated that is adapted to charge aselectable charge receiving device 134 powered by a DC battery (notshown). The holder 130 comprises a rack 136 including a plurality ofvertical walls for retaining the plurality of battery operated devices.

Referring to FIG. 9, a housing 138 provided on the bottom of the rack136. At least one multiple voltage output receptacle 140 is provided onthe housing 138 and is adapted to provide a default level of voltage anda device selected predetermined level of voltage that is greater thanthe default level of voltage for charging the selectable chargereceiving device 134.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 9, the housing 138 encloses a controllercircuit 40 that communicates with the selectable charge receiving device42 that is adapted to be charged at the predetermined level of voltageand that provides a charging level signal 46 to the voltage switchingcircuit 48. The variable output AC/DC converter circuit 50 is controlledby the voltage switching circuit 48 that is configured to provide thepredetermined level of voltage on line 52 to the selectable chargereceiving device 42. The housing 138 further encloses the fixed outputconverter circuit 56 that provides a fixed voltage level to at least onefixed charge receiving device 54 that may be connected to the fixedvoltage receptacles 142. The housing 138 may also include at least onesingle voltage receptacle 142 and a fixed output converter circuit 56 or76 that provides a fixed voltage level to at least one fixed chargereceiving device connected to the single voltage receptacle 142.

The embodiments described above are specific examples that do notdescribe all possible forms of the disclosure. The features of theillustrated embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments ofthe disclosed concepts. The words used in the specification are words ofdescription rather than limitation. The scope of the following claims isbroader than the specifically disclosed embodiments and also includesmodifications of the illustrated embodiments.

1-13. (canceled)
 14. A receptacle strip assembly adapted to be mountedon a wall for charging a selectable charge receiving device powered by aDC battery, the assembly comprising: a housing adapted to be secured tothe wall; at least one multiple voltage output receptacle provided onthe housing and adapted to provide a default level of voltage and adevice selected predetermined level of voltage that is greater than thedefault level of voltage for charging the selectable charge receivingdevice; wherein the housing encloses: a control circuit thatcommunicates with the selectable charge receiving device that is adaptedto be charged at the predetermined level of voltage and that provides acharging level signal; a voltage switching circuit that receives thecharging level signal; and a multiple voltage output circuit controlledby the voltage switching circuit that is configured to provide thepredetermined level of voltage to the selectable charge receivingdevice.
 15. The receptacle assembly of claim 14 wherein the housingfurther encloses at least one single voltage receptacle and a fixedoutput converter circuit that provides a fixed voltage level to at leastone fixed charge receiving device connected to the single voltagereceptacle. 16-17. (canceled)
 18. The receptacle assembly of claim 14,wherein the multiple voltage output circuit includes a variable outputAC/DC converter circuit.
 19. A receptacle strip assembly comprising: ahousing configured to secure to a surface; a control circuit retainedwithin the housing, the control circuit being configured to provide acharging level signal in response to a signal from a selectable chargereceiving device; a variable output converter circuit retained withinthe housing, the variable output converter circuit being configured toprovide a DC charging voltage to the selectable charge receiving device;a voltage switching circuit retained within the housing, the voltageswitching circuit being configured to control the DC charging voltageprovided by the variable output converter circuit in response toreceiving the charging level signal; and a multiple voltage receptaclearranged on the housing for charging the selectable charge receivingdevice, the multiple voltage receptacle being electrically coupled tothe variable output converter circuit and adapted to provide a defaultlevel of voltage and a predetermined level of voltage that is greaterthan the default level of voltage.
 20. The receptacle strip assembly ofclaim 19, wherein the variable output converter circuit includes a DC-DCconverter.
 21. The receptacle strip assembly of claim 19, wherein thevariable output converter circuit includes an AC-DC converter.
 22. Thereceptacle strip assembly of claim 19, wherein the housing includes atleast one fastener slot for receiving a fastener to secure the housingto a surface.
 23. The receptacle strip assembly of claim 19, furthercomprising a fixed output converter circuit retained within the housing,the fixed output converter circuit being configured to provide a fixedDC charging voltage, and a fixed voltage receptacle provided on thehousing that is electrically coupled to the fixed output convertercircuit and adapted to provide a fixed voltage level for a fixed chargereceiving device that may only be charged at a fixed voltage level. 24.A charging strip assembly comprising: a housing having a multiplevoltage receptacle and a fixed voltage receptacle arranged thereon, thehousing being configured to secure to a surface; a control circuitretained within the housing, the control circuit being configured toprovide a charging level signal in response to a signal from aselectable charge receiving device; a variable output converter circuitretained within the housing, the variable output converter circuit beingelectrically coupled to the multiple voltage receptacle and configuredto provide a DC charging voltage to the selectable charge receivingdevice by providing a default level of voltage and a predetermined levelof voltage that is greater than the default level of voltage; a voltageswitching circuit retained within the housing, the voltage switchingcircuit being configured to control the DC charging voltage provided bythe variable output converter circuit in response to receiving thecharging level signal; and a fixed output converter circuit retainedwithin the housing, the fixed output converter circuit being configuredto provide a fixed DC charging voltage and being electrically coupled tothe fixed voltage receptacle.
 25. The charging strip assembly of claim24, wherein the variable output converter circuit includes a DC-DCconverter.
 26. The charging strip assembly of claim 24, wherein thevariable output converter circuit includes an AC-DC converter.
 27. Thecharging strip assembly of claim 24, wherein the housing includes atleast one fastener slot for receiving a fastener to secure the housingto a surface.